Daniel J Williams grew up in the San Francisco Bay area. Some of his favorite activities as a kid included scaring the bejesus out of kids on Halloween, terrorizing neighbors playing doorbell-ditch, and excelling in the ultimate sport of Dodgeball. He somehow managed to score a business degree and wasted years toiling in the business world, writing technical sheets and marketing materials.He finally realized what was missing in his life: Zombies! Spending several years working on his breakthrough novel, Mace of the Apocalypse, he then couldn't help himself and penned three more novels with the same characters in a continuation of the story.The Mace of the Apocalypse series spans the beginning of a zombie outbreak in San Francisco to its ultimate conclusion in San Antonio, TX. It can be purchased through Amazon.com. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=520407433http://www.amazon.com/Daniel-J-Williams/e/B007EGMHHMhttp://danieljwilliamsauthor.com/

1) Mace is a powerful character, when did he first come to mind and what were you thinking about him in those early days? I really wanted to develop Mace into a strong yet complex and somewhat flawed character. I didn’t want him to have all the answers and be the perfect leader. I wanted him to struggle with the enormity of the situation and work his way through all the obstacles he would face. I kept thinking about the type of people that would best survive an apocalyptic event, and they would first of all need to be tough. The bounty hunter role fit perfectly with the type of personality he needed to possess. His troubled background and street smarts would help keep them all alive, but his search for redemption and spiritual questioning would keep him humble enough to make him a sympathetic character. I wanted you to root for him throughout the entire series. His relationship with Jade was also key to bringing a depth to his character that would otherwise be lacking.2) Did Mace and the other characters like Jade surprise you as you went along? I find the writing process absolutely fascinating and magical. You can have all these ideas of how things will develop, how characters will grow, and then poof, it all changes as you put pen to paper and the writing process takes place. I had a lot of fun developing Jade, especially in the second book when I wanted her to take on a stronger role. The last book was the most difficult to write, as the characters went through profound changes that impacted everyone around them. That also made it the most fun to write in a lot of ways. I knew it needed to tie everything together and make the series complete, and for the most part I believe I succeeded.3) Did you always know that Mace would be affected by the virus that brought on this chain of events?I wish I could say yes, but that just wrote itself towards the end of the third book. It took me a while to figure out where I wanted to take the story after that. There were different options I played with, but in the end I was happy with the direction of the story and his character. As I said, the fourth book was the most difficult to write, mainly because I found it hard to put these characters through all those emotions. I really cared for and about them.4) Do you feel that the whole series played out as you’d expected when you started or did it become a series of surprises that took you down new paths as you went?It originally just started out as a short story, so the whole series played itself out during the writing process. Each book was its own challenge, and I decided to pursue each book with only a general idea of the direction it would take. 5) Was it hard keeping up the intense pace through all four books?

The hardest part was actually slowing things down enough to put some heart and character development into the story. I love ripping into an action scene and just letting it go. It is a major adrenaline rush in its own way.6) Your fans are a dedicated and very invested group, how do you think they’ll be affected by the close of their favorite series?

I hope they are happy with the ending. To be honest, I was a bit nervous how the final book would be received, since it really is a different story. From those who’ve left reviews, the response has been very positive. As far as the series being over, I’ve heard requests for more, which is very flattering. All I can say is maybe. I don’t want to put anything out there about a sequel and then have to rush to finish. If I do write another one, I’d like to take my time and thoroughly develop the storyline. I have played around with some ideas and I think it could work well, but I have another story I need to pursue first.7) Are you glad to have completed your journey with Mace and the others or is it sort of bittersweet?

Oh, it’s very bittersweet. It was hard saying goodbye to these characters and this story. It’s like saying goodbye to family members. I still think about them.8) Where do you think you’ll be going with your writing now that Mace is completed?

I have a very ambitious project on the table right now. Once I start it, it will be all-consuming for a while. This next book will be an epic time-travel tale and is going to take some serious research to pull off successfully.

AUTHOR BIO:Born and bred in the West Midlands, Martin writes under the pen name of Peter Martin. Against Her Will is his debut novel, and is the story of one young woman's fight to lead a normal life after a horrific rape. Martin's interests lie mainly in crime, suspense and thrillers. His favorite authors are diverse, including Robert Goddard, R J Ellory, Kate Mosse,Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Diane Chamberlain, Harper Lee,Wilbur Smith. For more info martinperks.weebly.comLINKS:WEBSITE: hpps://martinperks.weebly.comAMAZON LINK : http://bookShow.me/B00D50BFGKFACEBOOK:hpps://facebook.com mart.perksTWITTER: https://twitter.com/pmartinauthorGOOD READS : https://www.goodreads.com/Martinperks

1) What inspired you to write Against Her Will? I've always felt strongly about how rape affects women, and how few of these women ever report these crimes to the police. Of those reported, many never come to trial and if they do conviction rates are low. Therefore I wanted to write a book from the victim's perspective, to give an idea what she has to go through, and show how it can destroy lives.

2) Is it challenging to promote a book with tough subject matter?Yes, it can be challenging, but I believe in my characters and the subject matter. It has been difficult to promote, but I feel if people read the book, they will see I have written the book in a sensitive and compassionate way that highlights what a woman has to go through and how it can affect and blight their lives forever.3) Do you feel Donna is a character who reacts realistically to her plight?Donna had problems before she was attacked. She found it difficult to deal with the way she looks, having been pushed into the spotlight from an early age, against her wishes. Having overcome this in later life, the rape became a catalyst that brought all her other problems back to the fore again.

4) Do you feel that books which tackle this issue in the way you have will bring light to women facing the same struggles after an attack?

I hope so. More women need to be strong to bring these men to justice. They must be made to realise these attacks will not be tolerated and only way to do that is for more women to come forward. I feel the sentences should be longer to ensure for certain they will be deterred from committing these acts. At present these people will only spend a short amount of time in jail, in comparison with the victim, who may not ever fully recover from what has happened to her.5) Do you feel that women who deal with issues related to assault both sexual and/or physical get enough care and understanding after such traumatic events?

No, I don’t. Whilst I agree that the police in the main do deal with these crimes in a sympathetic way, what victims have to go through at trials, can be as difficult as the crime itself. There is always the feeling that the victim asked for it, by the way she dresses or acts.

6) Do you think you'll keep writing suspense novels of this type or will you tackle other subjects as you continue writing? I will continue to write novels like this if I feel strongly about a subject as in this novel. My next novel is about a young boy who runs away from home and goes missing, and how it affects his family.

Cassandra L Shaw was a child of passion who prayed she was secretly Dr. Dolittle. She loved all animals and bugs with a fierce devotion that has carried into her writing. Most of her stories be they paranormal, futuristic, fantasy, or suspense have humorous roles for her character’s pets. These pets are often named after her own beloved dogs, cats, horses, goats, chickens, ducks and birds. Tina, Tit Tit, Bones, Willow, Falcor, and Asha are already in her first book, and there will be more, she’s pinky promised her pets immortality so they will have it!

With a passion for fashion, Cassandra’s fun quirky female characters like to wear Goth one day, fifties dresses the next, or imaginary witch capes and wands. Her hot, muscled male characters wear tight clothes to best show off their … err … attributes.

Hey, what's a hero and romantic lead if he isn’t hot??

If you don’t like having a giggle while Cassandra's heroes and heroines fight evil and other bad guys, discover themselves, eat well, and enjoy a good taste of life, lust, and love then Cassandra’s stories aren’t for you.

1) Grave Robber for Hire has a very unique twist on the usual urban fantasy/PNR tropes, what makes this story stand out in your mind?

I think it’s the mix of genres, Urban fantasy, paranormal, horror, mystery, that has a some sexual heat and humor. It’s also not full of shifters, weres, or vampires.The paranormal/fantasy elements arise from the heroine’s (Angel) gifts and where that takes her in the story. Although Urban Fantasy often has a dark side, in Grave Robber for Hire the horror is balanced with a main character (Angel) who is innately good and funny.Angel runs a rescue farm and has a thing for wearing clothes in themes, one day goth, the next 1950’s pin up. Other humor elements is one of her Horses, Tina, who is an ex trick horse and full of attitude.2) What inspired Angel Myers and her gifts?I pictured Angel when I was half asleep standing with a shovel in her hand next to a half dug out grave. Behind her stood Viggo her guardian angel. From there I worked on how she could have become a Grave Robber and where that could take a girl who’s not careful.

3) How much world building went into the series?

Not a huge amount as it is set in contemporary times in a real area. Near Cooroy in Queensland, Australia. The main world building is more her home, her farm, and Streak her 1938 hotted up jaguar car.

4)Do you need to do research to work on the parts set in the past?

I did have to do some. Mostly making sure I had the correct terms for items she saw, clothing and some of the colors schemes used in rooms in that time period.

5) I notice many PNR and Urban Fantasy series feature literary re-imaginings of the author or someone they know in life. Would you say this is true with your book?

I think all fiction hold some of the author or people the author knows in some way. I love animals so I’ve imbued Angel with the same love. I live in the country on a small farm as does Angel. And I would love to have a hotted up old car. Otherwise, I think her personality is cross between about ten people I’ve met over the years. I’ve taken their more outrageous sides and created a blend, which was fun.

6) What do you see happening in future installments of the Grave Robber series?

Angel discovers why the evil creatures want the Rembrandt she now possesses, and that there are more objects the world of evil want for power. This becomes a main element over the series as Angel must stop evil finding the objects they desire.

She’ll discover what she really is, what Tyreal (the hero sidekick) is, and there will be role changes between other characters. She’ll also learn to share her life and find love and gets to save souls—including her twin brother’s. So there’ll be a lot more fun, more horror, a growing mystery and quest, and she’ll find love. And I can’t wait to write them.

Dusty lives in California with her two children. She loves exploring, and hopes one day to learn to fly a plane, try on night-vision goggles just for the fun of it, and float in a room with zero gravity. Not necessarily in that order.

You can find out more about Dusty Lynn Holloway and The Chronicles of Shadow and Light at the links below:

1) Dragon Dreams is a book in your series The Chronicles of Shadow and Light, what inspired your series and this book in particular?

I've always enjoyed writing, but never really seriously considered writing a book until several years ago. I thought about what I loved, what interested me, and I went from there. In my mind, I saw the prologue to Dragon Dreams very clearly. I felt Auri's emotions as she ran onto the plains of fire, and I felt Nachal's sense of helplessness. That scene, was so vibrant and real to me, that I built the rest of the books around it.

2) In your series there are humans, elves, dwarves, and shape-shifting dragons Was it difficult building aworld for your characters to inhabit?

Certain parts were more difficult to get down than others. For instance, in El`dell, the land of the elves, I could see the island very clearly in my mind, but making it come alive on the page was much more difficult. As far as the characters, I would say that the characters have been the most clear to me. In a sense, I built the world around the characters, rather than the characters around the world.

3) Tell me a little about your central protagonist and his plight. How does it affect his worldthat he's had these dreams?

Nachal has had an unusual upbringing. To be brought up to inherit a crown is daunting enough, but to be brought up to inherit the dragon crown is something else entirely. His whole life has been built around these dragons, and around Cerralys, the Dragon-King in particular. Not only has he been raised to inherit the crown, but he's also been taught and honed by the most elite dragons in existence to be a commander in what the dragon's have believed for two decades to be the coming final battle between dragon-kind. I think to understand why the dreams effect him so deeply, you first have to know those things about him. To put it bluntly, his world is shattered by these dreams. I don't want to spoil things too much, but Obsidian, the leader of the Rebel's, figures prominently in the dreams he continues to have about Auri. Her life is in danger. Very real danger. And if that wasn't enough, through the course of time, as he continues to have these dreams, he comes to care deeply for her. He comes to love her. The dreams haunt him. Prodded to action by his foster father Cerralys, he sets out to find her and protect her from what he knows is coming.

4) What sets your world apart from other fantasy series?

I can probably say without hesitation that what sets my series apart is the emotion of the characters. Reading this book, you literally come to feel what the characters are feeling. They spring to life on the pages. As Nachal is trying to find Auri, you feel his sense of time closing in around him, suffocating him. As Auri sees El`dell for the first time, you feel her sense of wonder and frustration that she could have had such beauty in her life all along, but didn't. The emotions, whether they are turbulent and wild, or confused and wary, are felt. For some this might not be their cup of tea, but for me, it makes the characters and story more real. I want Nachal to find Auri. I want them to find a way to survive. I feel their pain and their triumphs both, and every time, even as the person who wrote it, it sucks me back in until I feel like I'm a part of the story again.

5) I see there are two books in the series thus far, do you know how many there will be when you've completed it?

I'd always planned it as a three part series. Dragon Dreams is the first, followed by Dragon Ties, and currently I'm working on the last and final book, Dragon Light.

6) Would you say it's harder to write and promote fantasy fiction in the indie market? How has your experience been so far?

I actually think that fantasy is an exploding genre right now, and has been for some time. I think, as an author and a reader, there is something so . . . intoxicating about reading or writing something that has no limits. You're not forced into a box. You're free to let your imagination carry you to the next story, and the next. As a matter of fact, my other project right now is a time-travel romance set in the 1800's. Again, fantasy. :) I just can't seem to get enough of it. I tried writing other things, but again and again I'm pulled back to the fantasy genre. For me, it's a world without limits. Anything can happen, and that's a heady feeling.

Talk to Your Local Bookstore: · You ask them to carry copies of your book (some will order them from your printer while others may necessitate you buying the books to sell, keep that in mind). · They’re a great place to ask about doing signings, leaving promotional materials like bookmarks and posters. · A good place to find out about other authors in the area. They can also be a source of info about local promotional and networking opportunities like writer’s groups and artists’ gatherings that could net you great feedback and ways to get the word out. Visit Your Local Library: Never underestimate the power of the library! · Donate two copies (or more if they have a few branches and/or bookmobiles) to them for promotion, getting new readers and reviews. · Set up signings, meet the author gatherings and if you have a relevant topic that locals might be interested in you can build a presentation that you can utilize to introduce yourself and your work to readers. · You can also ask to leave bookmarks, flyers about signings and posters to promote your work. · Talking to librarians (especially the ladies in charge of community gatherings and such at the library) and Friends of the Library programs and offering to take part in those library programs can earn you some recommendations from these folks, some Friends of the Library programs even buy books from authors that the library itself may not. Talk to Newspapers, Radio Stations and Local Businesses: You may not always be successful in getting them interested in your promotion, but many of these services have no problem promoting local success stories and encouraging the area to buy local writer’s work. Here’s a few things to ask about: · Interviews/Features: Radio stations and newspapers sometimes do promotions for area businesses and as I said before local success stories are a good way to fill empty air time and space in the paper. It never hurts to ask if your book or an author interview might be acceptable. If you do well enough it may lead to continuing interviews or features and opportunities. Be sure to tell that local bookstore about the feature and consider setting up a signing shortly after it so you can mention it during the feature to set both off and garner more interest. You can also mention you’ll do a blurb for the bookstore as a bonus bit of back-patting. · Articles: Another way to get your name out there is through writing articles of interest to your area at the end of which you can write a one or two sentence blurb for your book. Even better if you can manage to cover a topic that relates to your book in some way or a regular column that does this too. · Posting Flyers/Buying Ads: Putting an ad in the paper or on the radio is another way to promote your work. If you don’t have the cash for this (and most of us don’t) the other route would be making up flyers, bookmarks and other promotional materials and seeing if local businesses will allow you to post them somewhere in a window , on a bulletin board or some other high traffic area. This works best when you choose a place that caters to people who will be interested in your work. A zomb-poc author might do well at survivalist and gun shows or even a gun shop for instance. Romance authors might do well at ladies night out events or grocery stores.Make Friends and Share Promotion Space: · Go to Writer’s Groups: The more you know about what works in your own area the better and there’s a lot of writing info that can be gained from other authors as well. Go, network, absorb. · Share a Signing/Interview/Ad Space: If you know other authors that work with your press or who share your genre this is a great way to save money and help each other out. It also means the combined effort can net you more ideas, more readers and somebody to entertain you while you wait for people to walk up to your table.